第 一百二十一 章 · How Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine were wroth because Sir

. How Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine were wroth because Sir

Kay mocked Beaumains, and of a damosel which desired a knight to fight

for a lady.

Thereat was Sir Gawaine wroth, and in especial Sir Launcelot bade Sir

Kay leave his mocking, for I dare lay my head he shall prove a man of

great worship. Let be said Sir Kay, it may not be by no reason, for as

he is, so he hath asked. Beware, said Sir Launcelot, so ye gave the

good knight Brewnor, Sir Dinadan’s brother, a name, and ye called him

La Cote Male Taile, and that turned you to anger afterward. As for

that, said Sir Kay, this shall never prove none such. For Sir Brewnor

desired ever worship, and this desireth bread and drink and broth; upon

pain of my life he was fostered up in some abbey, and, howsomever it

was, they failed meat and drink, and so hither he is come for his

sustenance.

And so Sir Kay bade get him a place, and sit down to meat; so Beaumains

went to the hall door, and set him down among boys and lads, and there

he ate sadly. And then Sir Launcelot after meat bade him come to his

chamber, and there he should have meat and drink enough. And so did Sir

Gawaine: but he refused them all; he would do none other but as Sir Kay

commanded him, for no proffer. But as touching Sir Gawaine, he had

reason to proffer him lodging, meat, and drink, for that proffer came

of his blood, for he was nearer kin to him than he wist. But that as

Sir Launcelot did was of his great gentleness and courtesy.

So thus he was put into the kitchen, and lay nightly as the boys of the

kitchen did. And so he endured all that twelvemonth, and never

displeased man nor child, but always he was meek and mild. But ever

when that he saw any jousting of knights, that would he see an he

might. And ever Sir Launcelot would give him gold to spend, and

clothes, and so did Sir Gawaine, and where there were any masteries

done, thereat would he be, and there might none cast bar nor stone to

him by two yards. Then would Sir Kay say, How liketh you my boy of the

kitchen? So it passed on till the feast of Whitsuntide. And at that

time the king held it at Carlion in the most royallest wise that might

be, like as he did yearly. But the king would no meat eat upon the

Whitsunday, until he heard some adventures. Then came there a squire to

the king and said, Sir, ye may go to your meat, for here cometh a

damosel with some strange adventures. Then was the king glad and sat

him down.

Right so there came a damosel into the hall and saluted the king, and

prayed him of succour. For whom? said the king, what is the adventure?

Sir, she said, I have a lady of great worship and renown, and she is

besieged with a tyrant, so that she may not out of her castle; and

because here are called the noblest knights of the world, I come to you

to pray you of succour. What hight your lady, and where dwelleth she,

and who is she, and what is his name that hath besieged her? Sir king,

she said, as for my lady’s name that shall not ye know for me as at

this time, but I let you wit she is a lady of great worship and of

great lands; and as for the tyrant that besiegeth her and destroyeth

her lands, he is called the Red Knight of the Red Launds. I know him

not, said the king. Sir, said Sir Gawaine, I know him well, for he is

one of the perilloust knights of the world; men say that he hath seven

men’s strength, and from him I escaped once full hard with my life.

Fair damosel, said the king, there be knights here would do their power

for to rescue your lady, but because you will not tell her name, nor

where she dwelleth, therefore none of my knights that here be now shall

go with you by my will. Then must I speak further, said the damosel.